On Monday morning, 11 May 2009, the Holy Father prepared to leave
Jordan for the second stage of his pilgrimage to the Holy Land in
Israel. In the farewell ceremony at Queen Alia International Airport,
Amman, the Pope expressed his appreciation to King Abdullah II, the
public authorities and volunteers, and people of the media, for their
help and hospitality.

Your Majesties,
Your Excellencies,
Dear Friends,

As I prepare for the next stage of my pilgrimage to the lands of the
Bible, I want to thank all of you for the warm welcome that I have
received in Jordan over these last few days. I thank His Majesty King
Abdullah II for inviting me to visit the Hashemite Kingdom, for his
hospitality and his kind words. I also express my appreciation for the
immense effort that has gone into making my visit possible, and ensuring
the orderly unfolding of the various meetings and celebrations that have
taken place. The public authorities, assisted by a great number of
volunteers, have worked long and hard in order to direct the crowds and
organize the different events. The media coverage has enabled countless
people to follow the celebrations even if they could not be physically
present. As well as thanking those who have made this possible, I wish
to extend a special greeting to all who are listening on the radio or
watching on television, especially the sick and those confined to their
homes.

It has been a particular joy for me to be present at the launching of a
number of major initiatives promoted by the Catholic community here in
Jordan. The new wing of the Regina Pacis Centre will open up fresh
possibilities of bringing hope to those who struggle with difficulties
of various kinds, and to their families. The two churches to be built in
Bethany will enable their respective communities to welcome pilgrims and
to foster the spiritual growth of all who worship in that holy place.
The University at Madaba has a particularly important contribution to
offer to the wider community, in forming young people from various
traditions in the skills that will enable them to shape the future of
civil society. To all who are involved in these projects, I offer good
wishes and the promise of my prayers.

One of the highlights of these days was my visit to the Mosque
Al-Hussein Bin Talal, where I had the pleasure of meeting Muslim
religious leaders together with members of the diplomatic corps and
University Rectors. I would like to encourage all Jordanians, whether
Christian or Muslim, to build on the firm foundations of religious
tolerance that enable the members of different communities to live
together in peace and mutual respect. His Majesty the King has been
notably active in fostering inter-religious dialogue, and I want to put
on record how much his commitment in this regard is appreciated. I also
gratefully acknowledge the particular consideration that he shows
towards the Christian community in Jordan. This spirit of openness not
only helps the members of different ethnic communities in this country
to live together in peace and concord, but it has contributed to
Jordan’s far-sighted political initiatives to build peace throughout the
Middle East.

Dear Friends: as you know, it is principally as a pilgrim and a pastor
that I have come to Jordan. Hence the experiences from these days that
will remain most firmly etched in my memory are my visits to the holy
places and the moments of prayer that we celebrated together. Once again
I want to express the appreciation of the whole Church to those who look
after the places of pilgrimage in this land, and I also thank the many
people who contributed to the planning of Saturday’s Vespers in Saint
George’s Cathedral and yesterday’s Mass at the International Stadium. It
was truly a joy for me to experience these Eastertide celebrations in
company with the Catholic faithful from different traditions, united in
the Church’s communion and in witness to Christ. I encourage all of them
to remain faithful to their baptismal commitment, mindful that Christ
himself received baptism from John in the waters of the river Jordan.

As I bid you farewell, I want you to know that I hold in my heart the
people of the Hashemite Kingdom and all who live throughout this region.
I pray that you may enjoy peace and prosperity, now and for generations
to come. Thank you once again. And may God bless all of you!